DAILY BYTEAs we bring this week’s devotions to a close, we consider another faithful companion who joins us on the road, offering strength and grace to us to persevere. It is, of course, none other than Jesus, who is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
Indeed, Jesus is not only the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, but also of the faith of all who have gone before us, and all those who will follow behind. Without Jesus no faithful living is possible, because all faith has its beginnings and its fulfillment in him. And so every time we discover his gracious companionship along the way, our faith is strengthened and deepened to continue along the road with him, following him wherever he may lead.
It was this recognition of the constant companionship of Christ, and the commitment to follow him wherever he would lead, that enabled that faithful disciple, Mother Theresa, to write and live these words. They speak about persevering in faithfulness.
She wrote:
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, people may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It never was between you and them anyway.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Lord Jesus Christ, you find us on the road as you come with graciousness to share our life’s journey with us. Thank you that your presence strengthens and sustains us, and enables us to carry on. Help us Lord, not simply to carry on along our own path, but to carry on along the path that you would have us go. We can find it by simply following you, by letting your words and your ways become ours. Help us to be your faithful followers and friends. Amen.
FOCUS READING
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
